The word "pauperism" appeared in early 19th-century England to describe a new and worrying problem. Although it comes from the Latin word pa

Pauperism: What it is and how it transformed Europe

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2024-12-03 16:00:05

The word "pauperism" appeared in early 19th-century England to describe a new and worrying problem. Although it comes from the Latin word pauper (poor), it meant more than just individual poverty. It described a widespread systemic crisis affecting whole communities and changed how people thought about poverty.

I think it is helpful to explain the difference between poverty and Pauperism first. Poverty, in its traditional form, had long existed as an unfortunate but manageable aspect of human life, affecting individuals or small groups through misfortune or temporary setbacks. Communities and charitable systems were often sufficient to address such needs. Pauperism, however, was of a different magnitude. It was a systemic epidemic of poverty, a social plague that spread relentlessly, leaving entire populations trapped in destitution despite exhausting efforts to survive.

Interestingly, the term has roots in medieval religious ideals, where poverty (paupertas) was seen as a spiritual virtue. Figures like Francis of Assisi embraced poverty as a pathway to divine grace. By the 19th century, however, this ideal had been turned on its head: what was once a choice became an inescapable trap for millions.

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